Hyperbolic Functions

When a particular cable hangs between two poles the shape is a catenary, f(x)=acosh(x/a) where a is the distance from the sag of the cable to the ground. Suppose the poles are 100 feet apart. Find the slope where the cable meets the pole if the sag is 30 feet.

So from f(x) = a cosh(x/a) I got that f(0) = a and f(50)=acosh(50/a) with 50 being the distance from where the sag is 30 feet to the pole.

I need to solve for a somehow with acosh(50/a)-a=30... that being the equation that can tell me how far the sag is from the ground... and then i can plug a into f'(x)=sinh(x/a) and f'(50)=sinh(50/a) to get the derivative at the pole.... but I am stuck solving for a.

Re: Hyperbolic Functions

Are you sure that you are interpreting the problem correctly? If the value of 'a is defined as "the distance from the sag of the cable to the gound," and you are told that "the sag is 30 feet to the pole," perhaps this means that a=30?

But assuming that your interpretation is correct, then solving acosh(50/a) -a = 30 probably requires the use of a numerical technique.

Re: Hyperbolic Functions

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Re: Hyperbolic Functions

Originally Posted by KaylaKelley

Im not sure what you mean by numerical technique.....

Trial and error is a brute force numerical technique. If you have access to a spreadsheet you can set the formula up, try a value for a, note whether it's too big or too small, then try anouther value, etc. To get you started - if you start with a = 46 you should be able to iterate to a value for 'a' that is accurate to 4 decimal points pretty quickly. Then use that value for 'a' in your slope equation.

Re: Hyperbolic Functions

Oh I see. I graphed it in my calculator and was looking for the x intercept but when I took it to my professor its was wrong and my calculator was giving me something different than his. Thank you for the help though.